An anesthetic composition for use e.g. in the administration of a local anesthetic by injection comprises a first component, which comprises hyaluronidase, and a second component which comprises an anesthetic preparation. The composition is both effective and highly shelf stable, and has as an advantage that it may be stored and administered at room temperature. In a particular embodiment, the hyaluronidase is prepared in dry powder form, as by lyophilization. The anesthetic component may be selected from a group of known anesthetics, such as lidocaine, polocaine, xylocaine, novocaine, procaine, prilocaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine, carbocaine, etidocaine and chincocaine. The composition may be prepared in unit dosage forms, including a single dosage form, for a variety of purposes, and such unit dosage forms may be prepared in a plural chambered syringe or like dispenser, whereby the components are not mixed until administration.
